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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 04-11-26Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HeadlinesPotato growers in Akaki and Larnaca again clashed with police this morning. They have been protesting for the past two days, over long lasting problems, they say, the government has failed to solve,For the first time in the history of the republic of Cyprus, a government minister was convicted of a criminal offence. Health minister Dina Akkelidou was found guilty for obstruction of justice, following a letter she sent to a judge about a drug possession and use case. Shortly after the decicion, she submitted her resignation to the President of the republic, and Cyprus is in the deep freeze again. Following two days of sunshine, temperatures today fell well below normal for this time of year, with winds, up to gale force eight. [02] PotatoesPotato growers in Akaki and Larnaca again clashed with police this morning. They have been protesting for the past two days, over long lasting problems, they say, the government has failed to solve. Despite the pouring rain, hundreds of people remain at the Akaki packaging plant and the Rizoelia roundabout. Representatives of the potato-growers have sent an official letter to the President of the Republic, requesting a meeting to discuss the situation. In a show of solidarity, dozens of wives and children of potato-growers from the Larnaca district went to the area, accompanied by local authorities. Minor clashes broke out, when the women and children, along with deputies from all parliamentary parties, attempted to walk to the Rizoelia roundabout, to give leaflets to passing drivers. Police stopped them and wider clashes were averted, when the government order, that they be taken there with buses. There is still tension in the area, with the road from the Rizoelia roundabout to the Leivadia roundabout, remaining closed. Meanwhile, at the Akaki packaging plant, police lifted the blockade and potato growers were able to leave the plant, on their tractors. Farmers' unions called on the Justice and Public Order minister to order an investigation over police behaviour during yesterday's clashes at Akaki.[03] AkkelidouFor the first time in the history of the republic of Cyprus, a government minister was convicted of a criminal offence. Health minister Dina Akkelidou was found guilty by a district court in Nicosia, for obstruction of justice, following a letter she sent to a judge about a drug possession and use case. Shortly after the decicion, she submitted her resignation to the President of the republic. Presiding judge Nikolaos Santis, ruled that Mrs Akkelidou is guilty, because her intention was to influence justice. This, he added, has been proven, beyond every possible doubt. Judge Santis said that despite the fact that at the end of the day there was no actual influence on the case, Mrs Akkelidou's action violated basic constitutional principles. He pointed out that however noble the ministers' intention was, in helping a drug addict, this does not acquit her of the charges she faces. Lawyer for the defence Efstathios Efstathiou argued for the moderation of the sentence, which Judge Santis will announce on Monday. The law calls for three years in prison or a fine up to fifty thousand pounds. AKEL General Secretary Dimitris Christofias said that at the present stage, he does not wish to comment on the courts' decision. The party's spokesman Andros Kyprianou said that AKEL respects the decision, however it retains its own opinion about the case.[04] Christofias potatoesHouse president Dimitris Christofias has launched a personal initiative, to calm the situation, following two days of clashes of police with potato-growers. The president of the house agricultural committee Christos Mavrokordatos announced the initiative this morning. According to Mr Mavrokordatos, Dimitris Christofias will hold talks will all parties involved. On behalf of the opposition DISY party, press spokesman Tasos Mitsopoulos said that the potato growers issue was a crucial one, which had to be dealt with effectively before the end of the year.[05] Cyprus coldCyprus is in the deep freeze again. Following two days of sunshine, temperatures today fell well below normal for this time of year, with winds, up to gale force eight. Rain continues to fall throughout the island, with snow and thick fog on the Troodos mountain range. Roads are open only for drivers with four wheel drive or non-skid chains on their vehicles. The depth of snow on Mount Olympus is 15 centimetres, with ten in Troodos square. Snow also fall on the occupied Pentadaktylos mountain range, while sleet is falling in various parts of Nicosia.[06] UkraineUkraine's parliament is to hold an emergency debate tomorrow, on the crisis sparked by a disputed presidential election.All factions in the chamber, except the Party of the Regions of Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, had agreed to hold the session tomorrow at 12 noon. Yanukovich was declared the election winner in the official count challenged by the opposition. The agenda would include the disruptions in the country following mass protests and the postponement of Yanukovich's inauguration following a Supreme Court ruling barring official publication of the election results. [07] Harry kidnapBuckingham Palace today termed "irresponsible" newspaper reports that a kidnap threat forced Britain's Prince Harry to cut short a trip to a polo pony farm in Argentina.A spokesman for Harry, son of heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, played down front page reports in most British newspapers that armed police foiled a plot to kidnap the young prince. Harry, third in line to the throne, arrived back in Britain early today and made no comment to waiting reporters. The Times trailed the story on its front page with the banner headline: "Kidnap threat forces Prince Harry home". Citing the Argentine newspaper Pagina 12, the Times said a murder suspect in the local underworld tipped off the Argentine government about a plot to kidnap the prince. The Times report said 15 armed officers were sent to patrol the ranch, in Lobos in the Pampa region, 60 miles southwest of the capital Buenos Aires. It said police fired shots into the air on Wednesday night after detectives suspected kidnappers were near the ranch. Local police told Reuters yesterday that shots were heard near the horse ranch, but attributed the shots to hare hunters. [08] TailerA German computer scientist has broken the world record in mental calculation, needing just 11.80 seconds to work out the 13th root of a 100-digit number.Gert Mittring, a 38-year old computer scientist, was faster working out the answer than several onlookers using calculators at an event in the western town of Giessen sponsored by the Museum of Mathematics. A spokesman for the museum said Mittring's time broke a record set in 1988 by Alexis Lemaire of France, who completed a similar calculation in 13.55 seconds. [09] WeatherIt will be generally fine to start with this afternoon, however, later in the day, showers are expected, with snowfalls on higher ground, but also semi-mountainous regions. Winds will be strong to very strong, northerly to northwesterly, force five to six, turning near gale force seven to gale force eight in some areas. Seas will be rough to very rough and high on the western and northern coastal areas. Temperatures will reach 13 degrees inland, 15 in coastal areas and one degree on higher ground. Tonight scattered showers are expected, mainly in eastern areas as well as snowfalls over the mountains. Winds will be moderate to strong northerly to northwesterly, force four to five, turning very strong force six over western and northern areas. Seas will be rough to very rough. Temperatures will drop to six degrees inland and the eastern coastal areas, eight on the western and southern coastal areas and four below zero over the mountains.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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